Filed under: Car Buying, Convertibles, Coupes, Economy, Hybrids/Alternative, Minivans/MPVs, Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, SUVs, Trucks/Pickups, Crossovers/CUVs
Car and Driver 10 Best for 2007
In round number 25 of the toughest job in journalism, the editorial staff at Car and Driver has gathered at the secret camp located in the middle of some of the greatest roads in the Midwest. Struggling through the daunting task of evaluating the coolest cars available in these United States, they grind through an entire week behind the wheel. Fortunately, its only about 30 miles from the Car and Driver offices, so tents and campfires are not part of the event.
The criteria are very clear. Last year's winners are automatically invited back to defend their title. Eligible vehicles must be all-new or substantially upgraded for 2007. Each car gets only one shot at making the list, but once they win they could stay on the list for several years as long as they successfully defend the category win. This year, all vehicles had to be priced under $71,000, or 2.5 times the average transaction price of a new vehicle, and be on sale no later than January 2007. The manufacturer must also deliver a representative example to the camp for evaluation.
The Car and Driver 10 Best for 2007 are:
- BMW 3-series
- Chevrolet Corvette
- Chrysler 300
- Honda Accord
- Honda Fit
- Infiniti G35
- Mazda MX-5
- Mazda Mazdaspeed3
- Porsche Boxster and Cayman
- Volkswagen GTI
[Source: Car and Driver]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Dr. Woo 9:52AM (12/03/2006)
I see no Civic Si, but I do see my car (VW GTI). I knew I made the right choice.
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Doug 10:07AM (12/03/2006)
A quick link to last years winners for comparison:
http://www.caranddriver.com/bestcars/10354/10best-cars-2006.html
I'm personally blown away that the Fit made this list. I mean, the list fortunately isn't populated with the supercars of the world, but it seems pretty rare for a car in the econo category to make it in the the middle and upper range sports cars and sedans. I wish I had a complete historic list for a better comparison.
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Gort 10:07AM (12/03/2006)
Looks like they made some good picks.
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rrr 10:47AM (12/03/2006)
No Toyota's. C&D is like Bush administration, totaly out of touch with the public, especialy in light of yesterday's numbers.
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Frank 10:58AM (12/03/2006)
rrr this is autoblog, post your comments on a political blog, but since you brought it up, Nancy Pelosi has shown that she is already out of touch with public, and she hasn't even become the speaker yet.
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Petey 11:04AM (12/03/2006)
Yea, its a bit out of touch, Toyota sells almost twice as many Camrys as Mazda sells CARS.. lol. Besides, they are just catering to their performance oriented audience, no problems there.
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Dr. Woo 11:15AM (12/03/2006)
rrr, behold the criteria:
"We judge the cars in three general areas: First, how well the car performs its intended functions. We expect sports cars to be fast and exhilarating, while we presume a family sedan will be practical. Second, we show a preference for the more engaging cars in each category; be it better driving manners, a double-take-inducing look, or a powerful engine. Finally, we are suckers for a good deal, so an inexpensive car that’s fast, fun, and practical will certainly rise to the top of our list."
Toyotas are practical, make no mistake about it. But one can't judge a car's merits simply by its sales. Toyotas are very easily outclassed by competitors in driving mechanics. They just aren't engaging. The Toyotas are just "transportation." Ask any car guy if he'd rather drive a Camry or Accord, and the majority, I wager, would pick the Honda.
Camrys are overpriced because they can be. But a public perception of reliability and practicality is not enough for C&D, or pretty much any publication.
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ramsport47 11:17AM (12/03/2006)
the list isn't about MOST POPULAR, it's about BEST IN IT'S CLASS, whaaaaa, no Toyotas...big deal. Obviously vanilla cars aren't quite enthusiastic to drive.
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rj 11:18AM (12/03/2006)
Yes no toyotas, which says what I've been saying for a long time. The toyota HYPE is wearing down. The press now sees better products elsewhere, soon the public will too.
Plus with toyota copying mazdas styling like no tomorrow (camry=mazda 6 clone, yars = minimazda 3) why go with a secondary spinoff?
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nmd 11:21AM (12/03/2006)
Just because the Camry seels alot of cars doesnt mean its a best car... I havent experienced the newest Camry, but Camrys have always had horribly soft suspensions, lots of body roll, and wheezy engines compared to the Honda Accord. Most people that buy Camry's arent necessarily looking for the best handling best performing sedan... and thats what 10 best is all about.
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aaaa 11:29AM (12/03/2006)
absolutely incredible
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djbango 11:34AM (12/03/2006)
No Toyotas....who cares, they make appliances not cars. the only Toyotas to envoke passion for driving where the Supra, Celica, and the......no that's about it
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Bigbootie 11:38AM (12/03/2006)
Nice, but rather predictable, list. It should get Car and Driver's name out there in some of the automakers advertising material. And the automakers certainly will take advantage of this to market their cars. But why isn't there a 10 Worst list by Car and Driver? Obviously, they've tested some bad cars, so aren't they doing their readers a real service why telling them what cars to stay away from?
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Bob 11:38AM (12/03/2006)
I love seeing the Accord on this list every year. I know it's one of the best-selling cars on the road, but I still think it doesn't get enough praise (despite those new derivative, style-less triangle rear taillamps).
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Ryan 11:46AM (12/03/2006)
"10. Yes no toyotas, which says what I've been saying for a long time. The toyota HYPE is wearing down."
-Ummm, no actually it's not.
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ferrarihire 11:50AM (12/03/2006)
Surely the Porsche is in a different class?
We supply desirable cars for hire, and I would not consider any of the others as desirable!
http://www.northernferrarihire.com
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rj 12:20PM (12/03/2006)
hehe what's wrong ryan? Did you buy a camry based on what others told you and not how you personally felt about the mazda 6 clone?
Toyota copying Mazda styling, it' what they call, "moving forward."
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rrr 12:33PM (12/03/2006)
#8 Public perception? You make it sound like Toyota has poor quality but the dumb public buys into the scam.
First of all read the reliability reports, Lexus is always #1, Toyota is always on top. And before you say Fusion is good too..try to remember those 8 million PickUps Ford reccaled few years ago.
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Stacey 12:34PM (12/03/2006)
I think it's a good list and most of them are no brainers. There are no Toyota's on the list because they flat out make boring cars who appeal to most people who think highway driving is cool.
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rrr 12:34PM (12/03/2006)
#10 what? Do you realize that what you wrote is TOTAL bolony. Are you telling me that Malibu or Impala are anywhere near Camry and the public will soon realize that?
Have you seen these cars inside? Leatherless Camry interior looks much better than leather GM car. But i assume it is news to you that GM has always had poor interiors.
So the public will wake up? Hmmm, will they wakeup and realize that a convertible like Saturn Sky and its absolute copy Pontiac in the cheapest trim come without an AC and Power Windows? So what if i am hot? Do i have to keep windows open?
One more question? Why do GM and Ford offer huge discounts? Because their cars are so popular and the public realizes it? Or why is GM in the hole that it is in? What, liberal media? Or GOSH DARN IT is it posible that they make junk that no one wants to buy unless they will get a $7,000 rebate?
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